Method and device for processing stones in a stone layer

ABSTRACT

In a device and a process for treating stones arranged in a stone layer, in particular stones made of concrete material, the stones are moved past at least one processing area on at least one transporter. In order to process the stones on their top side, they are tilted on an axis extending perpendicularly and/or transversely to the transport direction at the processing area by uneven areas in the transport route.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The manufacture of paving stones or other stones that are made of concrete material as a stone layer is a known process. The stones are not only manufactured in the rectangular or square stone layer or stone array in one process step, but generally remain in this stone layer or in their arrangement forming the stone layer during storage and transport and can then be laid as a complete stone layer.

It is frequently desired that the stones of such a stone layer be mechanically processed on the visible top side and on the edge of the stone surrounding the top to produce an irregular surface structure and/or a rounded and/or partly broken stone edge.

For this mechanical processing, bush hammering and rumbling machines are known that consist of a plurality of hammers that are spring-mounted on an oscillating beam or girder, which can be used to mechanically process stones, in particular such made of concrete material.

It is an object of the invention is to present a method and a device to enable mechanical processing of the top surface of the stones of a stone layer beyond the upper edge of the stone without abandoning or disturbing the arrangement of the stones forming the stone layer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A method for treatment of stones arranged in a stone layer, in at least one processing area with a processing machine comprising a plurality of processing tools, on which the stone layers are moved on a transporter in a transport direction (A), wherein the stones are tilted on an axis extending perpendicularly and/or transversely to the transport direction (A) at the processing area by uneven areas in the transport route.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is described below in more detail based on exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a simplified depiction in top view of a paving stone layer or array consisting of a plurality of paving stones made of concrete material with the edge processed on the top side;

FIG. 2 shows a simplified depiction in top view of a machine or device for processing the stones of the stone layer;

FIG. 3 and 4 each show a simplified depiction in side view of the two successive processing stations of the machine in the direction of transport of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 shows a schematic depiction of the arrangement of elevations or uneven areas on the transport route of the machine in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 shows a simplified depiction in top view of a mask or frame element for use in the device of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 7 shows in a depiction similar to FIG. 4 a further possible embodiment of the processing station.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the drawings, 1 is a stone layer, for example a paving stone layer consisting of several stones 2 made of concrete material. The stone layer 1 is manufactured in the usual manner in a mold as an entirety and is transported and laid, e.g. for creating a paved surface, as a unit, i.e. maintaining the arrangement of the stones 2 to each other. In the square stone layer 1 in the depicted embodiment, the square-shaped stones 2 are arranged with their edges parallel to the sides of the stone layer 1.

In order to achieve a rustic appearance similar to that of broken natural stones, the individual stones are mechanically processed or structured on their top side and on their edges 3 surrounding the top so that they have a structured top 2.1 and a structured or irregular and partially broken edge 3.

FIGS. 2-5 show, as an embodiment of the invention, a machine 4, which likewise is used to mechanically process the stones 2 of stone layers 1 so that they not only have a structured top 2.1, but also a structured or irregular and partially broken edge 3 that gives them the overall rustic appearance.

The machine 4 in the depicted embodiment has a single horizontal transport route 20, formed by a transport belt 21, which can be driven continuously as a closed loop by a drive not depicted and which forms the transport plane with the respective upper length 21.1 on which the stone layers 1 to be processed are located. With this upper length the transport belt 21 is supported by and glides on an essentially level horizontal guide or gliding surface 22.1, which extends over the entire length and width of the transport route 21 and is formed on the top of a table-like machine element.

The stone layers 1 to be processed are fed directly one after the other to the transport route 20 at a feed position 20.1. The processed stone layers 1 are removed from the transport route 20 at an output position 20.2. During the transport in transport direction A from the feed position 20.1 to the output position 20.2 the stone layers 1 or the stones 2 forming these layers are moved beneath two processing stations 23 and 24, which are provided successively in transport direction A. The first processing station 23 in transport direction A is formed by a hammer mill 23.1, which features a plurality of hammers 25 that are spring-mounted on an oscillating beam or girder that can move up and down. The hammers 25 are arranged in several rows that extend perpendicular to transport direction A and each of which features a plurality of hammers above the stone layers 1, which are moved beneath the processing station 23. In the depicted embodiment the hammer mill 23.1 is designed as a rumbling machine with rounded hammers 25 on the bottom or working side. Other designs, such as a bush hammering machine with hammers with points or edges formed on the bottom, are also possible.

The processing station 23 is followed in transport direction A by the processing station 24, at which the stones 2 are additionally processed on their top side and in particular also on the edges 3 already processed in the processing station 23, i.e. in the depicted embodiment are subjected to a kind of grinding process.

For this purpose, the processing station 24 consists of a frame 26 that is closed on the perimeter and is oriented crosswise to transport direction A, i.e. perpendicular to or forming an angle with transport direction A and located horizontally with its frame plane. In this frame 26, which extends over the entire width of the transport route 20 and is open at both the top and bottom, several grinding or processing elements 27 are arranged so that they bear with their bottom side against the top side of the stones 2.

In the depicted embodiment the processing elements 27, the bottom of which protrudes beyond the bottom of the frame 26, are stones of the stone layers 1. The frame 26 can be moved by a suitable drive in at least one horizontal axis crosswise to the transport direction, but preferably in two horizontal axes, for example crosswise to transport direction A and also oscillating in transport direction A, so that the frame 26 with the processing elements 27 executes a rotating or circular motion on vertical axes and additionally is moved in transport direction A and/or crosswise to transport direction A. At the same time a vibrator can be provided on the frame 26, so that it is also moved vertically in an oscillating manner together with the processing elements 27.

The stone layers on the transport belt 21 are moved with the belt through the processing stations 23 and 24 one after the other, i.e. without space or essentially without space between them.

In order to reach the borders or upper edges 3 of the stones 2 with the hammers 25 and the processing elements 27, the stones 2 are tilted slightly when moving past the processing stations 23 and 24, in temporal succession on different axes parallel to the transport plane, i.e. also on an axis that is perpendicular to transport direction A and on an axis that is parallel to transport direction A. This is achieved in an especially simple manner by the fact that on the level horizontal guide and gliding surface 22.1 in the proximity of the processing stations 23 and 24 there are knob-like raised areas or projections 28, which form an uneven surface over the flexible transport belt 21 or over the upper length 21′ of this transport belt 21 that causes the stones 2 to tilt. The stones 2 are thus tilted at the processing stations 23 and 24 so that they move apart in temporal succession at least at the top, both at the joints extending crosswise to transport direction A and at the joints extending in transport direction A, as depicted in FIGS. 5 and 6, thus exposing the edges 3 and making them accessible for processing. The projections 28 are formed, for example, by screws with round heads.

FIG. 5 shows an example for the arrangement of the projections 28. They first form a row 29 crosswise to transport direction A, then in transport direction A two rows 30 extending diagonally to transport direction A and diverging in transport direction A, then two rows 31 likewise extending diagonally to transport direction A and diverging in transport direction A and then again one row 32 extending crosswise to transport direction A. Other arrangements of the projections 28 are also possible. Furthermore, it is possible to achieve the uneven areas for tilting of the stones 2 in the proximity of the processing stations 23 and 24 by other projections or supporting elements, such as strip-shaped projections, by rollers or cylinders forming supports for the transport belt, etc.

Furthermore, the projections 28 are arranged so that they form at least two groups of rows 30 beneath the processing station 23, which (groups) follow each other in the direction of transport, whereby the rows 30 of the first group converge in the transport direction A, i.e. run together in a V-shape, and the rows 30 of the second group diverge in the direction of transport A, i.e. run apart in a V-shape, as is the case with the two rows 30 depicted in FIG. 7.

Furthermore, it is possible to provide two or more processing stations 23 in succession in transport direction A, in the proximity of which then likewise the uneven areas beneath the transport belt 21 are provided by the projections 28 or by other support elements.

The special advantage of the processing machine 4 consists in the fact that processing of the stones 2 is possible on the entire edge 3 in one run, i.e. with one single transport route 20 and without moving the stone layer from one transport route to another successive transport route.

The processing station 24 causes post-processing or refinement of the processing by the processing station 23. Using stones 2 as the processing elements 27 results in low operating costs. Moreover, this prevents discoloration of the surface of the processed stones 2 by foreign material.

A further special advantage consists in the fact that material that accumulates during processing of the stones is also conveyed by the transport belt 21 and can be transported away at the output position 20.1 for example, thus ensuring clean operation of the machine 4.

FIG. 6 shows a mask or frame element 34, which can be provided in place of the uneven areas formed by the projections 28 beneath the transport belt in the proximity of the respective processing station 23. The frame element with the rectangular perimeter and made of a wear-resistant material, e.g. steel, forms an outer, rectangular frame structure with the two longer frame sides 34.1 and 34.2 and the two shorter frame sides 34.3 and 34.4 in addition to two strip-shaped frame stays 34.5 and 34.6, which start at a corner formed between the frame sides 34.2 and 34.3 and 34.2 and 34.4, respectively, and extend within the frame as far as the middle of the frame side 34.1.

When in use, the frame element 34 is located in the proximity of the processing station 23 beneath the transport belt 21 so that the frame sides 34.1 and 34.2 are oriented perpendicularly to transport direction A, thus forming uneven areas for tilting of the stones 2 during processing, just as the frame stays 34.5 and 34.6, which then diverge or converge in transport direction A. If the frame element 34 is used, the uneven areas formed by the projections 28 are not applicable. The frame element 34 is provided, e.g. by means of several screws, on the table-like element 22 of the machine frame or on the guide 22.1 and can be easily removed for quick replacement.

Preferably two such frame elements 34 are located successively in transport direction A beneath one processing station 23 or beneath two such stations, so that for one frame element 34 the frame stays 34.5 and 34.6 converge in transport direction A, i.e. run together in a V-shape and for the other frame element 34 they diverge in transport direction A, i.e. run apart in a V-shape.

As indicated by 33, a vibrator can be provided at the processing station 24 beneath the sliding guide 22.1. Furthermore, instead of the stones, other processing elements can be provided in the machine 4 at the processing station 24, e.g. abrasive devices, etc.

FIG. 7 shows as a further possibility a procession station 24 a, which in its functions corresponds to the processing station 24, however with the difference that instead of the stones, processing elements 27 a are provided that are made of carbide metal or hardened steel, for example by hammering.

The invention was described above based on exemplary embodiments. It goes without saying that numerous modifications and variations are possible, without abandoning the underlying inventive idea on which the invention is based.

It was assumed above that the stones 2 are processed in stone layers and are moved beneath the processing stations. Of course, it is also possible to convey the stones 2 individually or as a continuous or uninterrupted stream through the processing stations 23, 24 or 24a for processing.

REFERENCE NUMBERS

-   1 stone layer -   2 stone -   2.1 top side of stone -   3 upper edge of stone -   4 processing machine -   20 transport route -   20.1 feed position -   20.2 output position -   21 transport belt -   21.1 upper length of transport belt -   22 table-like element of machine frame -   22.1 guide for upper length 21.1 -   23, 24, 24 a processing station -   23.1 hammer mill -   25 hammer -   26 frame -   27, 27 a processing element -   28 projection -   29, 30, 31, 32 row of projections -   33 vibrator -   A transport direction 

1. A method for treatment of stones arranged in a stone layer in at least one processing area with a processing machine comprising a plurality of processing tools, on which the stone layers are moved on a transporter in a transport direction (A), wherein the stones are tilted on an axis extending perpendicularly and/or transversely to the transport direction (A) at the processing area by uneven areas in the transport route.
 2. A device for treatment of stones arranged in a stone layer with at least one transport route and with at least one processing area on the transport route wherein the transport route comprises at least one uneven area in the at least one processing area in the form that the stones are tilted there, causing the stones to move apart on the top of the stone layer along the edge sections of the stones extending transversely and/or perpendicularly to the transport direction (A, B).
 3. The device according to claim 2, wherein the at least one processing area comprises a plurality of processing tools which process the stones on their top side and/or on their upper edge.
 4. The device according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of processing tools are hammers or rams of a bush hammering and/or rumbling machine.
 5. The device according to claim 3, wherein the at least one processing tools are tools or processing elements that produce an abrasive processing of the stones.
 6. The device according to claim 2, wherein the transport route is formed by at least one transport belt, one upper length (21.1) of which forms a support for the stone layers (1), and that the transport belt (21) is guided at the at least one processing station (23, 24, 24 a) so that partial changes in the level or uneven areas in the support there cause the top of the stone layer (1) to tilt, thus moving the stones (2) apart.
 7. The device according to claim 6, wherein a guide for the transport belt at the at least one processing station features the uneven areas or projections.
 8. The device according to claim 2, wherein the at least one processing station comprises a holder, that is a frame, on which or in which several processing elements are located.
 9. The device according to claim 8, wherein the processing elements are for a rubbing or abrasive processing, the abrasive devices are made of cement-bound material or stones or tools made of carbide metal.
 10. The device according to claim 8 wherein the holder is driven in at least one axis for an oscillating motion.
 11. The device according to claim 8, wherein the processing station comprising the holder (26) extends over the entire width of the transport route.
 12. The device according to claim 2, wherein the processing station comprising the grinding devices is followed by at least one additional processing station in transport direction (A) with a plurality of processing tools.
 13. The device according to claim 2, wherein the uneven areas or projections on the guide are provided in several rows, the in rows extending transversely and/or diagonally to the transport direction (A).
 14. The device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the plurality of processing tools are hammers. 